{"id":243,"date":"2009-07-01T00:55:02","date_gmt":"2009-07-01T00:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tomathon.com\/mphp\/?p=243"},"modified":"2010-02-23T18:38:42","modified_gmt":"2010-02-23T23:38:42","slug":"never-ascribe-to-malice-that-which-can-be-explained-by-incompetence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.tomathon.com\/mphp\/2009\/07\/never-ascribe-to-malice-that-which-can-be-explained-by-incompetence\/","title":{"rendered":"Never ascribe to malice, that which can be explained by incompetence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"or<\/a>I’ve been waiting for the United States<\/a> and Canadian governments to weigh in on the Nigerien political crisis.\u00a0 Today France released a less than pointed statement<\/a>, accusing Nigerien government policies of “being outside the constitution”, while the EU<\/a> was a little firmer, mentioning the cash it provides Niamey<\/a>.\u00a0 Although members have expressed concern over Tandja’s coup<\/a>, the bi-yearly meeting this Wednesday looks like it will be quiet, in part because its a closed door meeting, and in part because the Libyan government<\/a> has denied visas and\/or failed to find any accommodation for NGO<\/a> representatives, members of African civil society groups, or reporters.\u00a0 ECOWAS \/ CEDEAO seem the best bet<\/a>, in part because they hardly need another government to slide into a rather seedy dictatorship.\u00a0 Nigeria’s ruling class appears to have taken a distinct interest in seeing the back of Tandja (which may be enough to doom him).<\/p>\n

So I was pleased when I saw that the word “Niger<\/a>” came up in today’s United States State Department press briefing<\/a>. “Mr. Kelly” is Ian Kelly, the State Department Spokesman.\u00a0 Apparently he’s been a bit preoccupied of late.<\/p>\n

QUESTION:<\/strong> Do you have anything on the political situation in Niger?<\/p>\n

MR. KELLY:<\/strong> I don\u2019t think so. No, I don\u2019t. What\u2019s going on in —
\nQUESTION:<\/strong> There\u2019s a political crisis. The president has dissolved the constitutional court and he is trying to stay in power —
\nMR. KELLY:<\/strong> Yeah.
\nQUESTION:<\/strong> — instead of getting reelected in September.
\nMR. KELLY:<\/strong> Well, that doesn\u2019t sound good.
\nQUESTION:<\/strong> No.
\nMR. KELLY:<\/strong> We\u2019ll get you more information.
\nQUESTION:<\/strong> Thank you.
\nMR. KELLY:<\/strong> Okay. Thanks.<\/p>\n

Okay. Thanks.<\/p>\n

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